QuestionQUESTION: Hi there. I have read many a forum and I'm sure you have been asked questions like this but I couldn't find any answers.
I have a 4 Channel amp that runs one speaker per channel.
I have a 2 Channel amp that I have bridged for two subwoofers.
I am having no luck with my subwoofers but I would like to get my 4 Channel sorted out first.
I have checked the speakers for their impedence levels and their ratings are all greater than or equal to what my amps specs are.
The problem I am having is that my amplifier seems to cut out at random, losing all output to all speakers. But more particularly when I put on music with loud bass.
I have 5.25" components in front and 6 x 9's in back.
I have checked out power terminal side of the amplifier and have found that when it cuts out, I still have my 12 or 13 volts on my REMOTE wire, but across my HOT and GND terminals I am getting close to no voltage.
I have read about the amps going into thermal protection but if that were the case I would think I'd still have the 12 Volts on my Amps Power terminals.
I ran a 0 AWG to a distribution block, this sends power to my amps via a 4 AWG wire, which was specified by my amp manual.
I ran 2 separate 4 AWG wires for my amplifiers grounds.
Hope this is enough info. Hope you can help.
Thanks, Kiel
ANSWER: Hi Kiel,
Random cutting out is almost certainly a thermal protect, or a dead/dying amp.
Justin
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: But shouldn't there still be 12V coming from my battery to my amp? The terminals show me that there is about 3 or 4 volts there? I figured the only thing that would happen is that there would be no current draw to the amp
ANSWER: Hi Kiel,
Not necessarily. When an amp is hooked up and on and under load (even if it's in thermal protect mode, you're no longer just testing the voltage of the battery, you're now testing various voltages and power that's being drawn (and resisted) in the amp's circuitry aswell.
Justin
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thanks for your help. I just want to ask you one more thing. If everything hooked up is all rated properly, even if I turn my gain down, and this is still happening, would this suggest my amp is crap. Its brand new so I just want to know if there is anything I can do about this without having to by another new one.
Thanks alot for your advice, it is much appreciated.
-Kiel
AnswerIf it continues to cut out when the gain is down and it's not cranked, the likely scenario is that your amp is simply dead. If it's relatively new, I'd imagine there might be some warranty coverage on that.
The downside is that amplifier warranties are usually a crapshoot because most companies will insist it's entirely your fault, and that you just turned it up too loud, even if you didn't.
Justin
